Dry cleaning machine



Jan. 8, 1963 B. RAND 3,071,953

DRY CLEANING MACHINE Filed July 10. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 o A l Fl,

, s E 86 3 4 fi I 42 INVENTOR. BURTON RAND BY k W ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 8, 1963 dice 3,071,953 DRY CLEANING MACHINE Burton Rand, Bala Cynwyd, Pa., assignor to Autosonics Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 10, 1961, Ser. No. 123,001 12 Claims. (Cl. 6818) This invention relates to a dry cleaning machine, and more particularly to a cleaning machine adapted to operate through a predetermined cycle to dry clean textile articles.

The dry cleaning machine of the present invention, if desired, may be provided with a coin-operated mechanism for controlling the operation of the same. In this manner, the dry cleaning machine of the present invention may be utilized in laundromats, self-service laundries, etc. If a coin-operated mechanism is not provided, the dry cleaning machine is adapted to be utilized by dry cleaning establishments and lends itself to mass production for use as a home appliance.

In dry cleaning machines utilizing a volatile liquid such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, trichlorethylene, perchlorethylene, etc., it is necessary to have a housing which is hermetically sealed. When the door providing access to the interior of the machine is open, the vapors from within the machine are permitted to escape to the atmosphere. The vapor lost to the atmosphere with each batch of material is an inevitable loss in presently designated machines and represents a major factor in solvent consumption. The dry cleaning machine of the present invention reduces the vapor loss to the atmosphere by approximately fifty percent. The loss of vapor to the atmosphere is substantially reduced in accordance With the present invention by providing a novel bladder or diaphragm which is responsive to a novel evacuation system whereby the volume of air within the machine which communicates with the atmosphere when the door is open is substantially reduced.

The dry cleaning machine of the present invention includes a rotatable perforated drum in which the articles to be dry cleaned are disposed. The drum is provided with a bladder which is secured at diametrical points on the inner periphery of the drum and overlies approximately one-half of the inner peripheral surface of the drum. The

drum is rotatably supported by a novel pan which is in the nature of a trough which supports a motor for rotating the drum. The pan and drum are mounted for reciprocation into and out of a supply of dry cleaning fluid. Also, in the uppermost position of the drum and pan, the drum is disposed in a chamber which is sealed with respect to the chamber containing the dry cleaning liquid.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel dry cleaning machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel dry cleaning machine having a rotatably mounted reciprocably supported perforated drum and means for substantially reducing the volume of said drum when desired.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel dry cleaning machine adapted to utilize highiy volatile solvents such as the Du Pont Companys Freon dry cleaning liquid.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel dry cleaning machine wherein two separate hermetically sealed compartments are provided, wherein one of said compartments is adapted to be placed in communication with atmosphere when an access door is opened and includes means for removing vapors from the air within said one chamber prior to the opening of the access door.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel dry cleaning machine which is simpler and more economical than comparable machines proposed heretofore.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the dry cleaning machine of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along lines 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the drum pan.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the rotary drum adapted to retain the articles to be dry cleaned.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a perspective View of a dry cleaning machine designated generally as 10.

The dry cleaning machine 10 of the present invention includes a housing designated generally as 12. The housing 12 is comprised of spaced substantially parallel side walls 14 and 16, a bottom wall 18 extending between the side walls, spaced top wall sections 20* and 21, and a housing extension 22. The housing extension 22 is substantially semi-cylindrical and is disposed intermediate the top wall sections 20 and 21.

The extension 22 is provided with an access door 24 pivotably secured thereto by means of a hinge along one side of the door. A solenoid actuated lock 26 is'provided so that the access door 24 may not be opened until the dry cleaning cycle has been completed.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 3, the housing 12 is provided with end walls 28 and 30. The end Wall 30 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 32. The end wall 28 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 34. The flanges 32 and 34 are disposed in the same horizontal plane as the top wall sections 20 and 21.

The flanges 32 and 34 cooperate with the extension 22 to define an upper chamber 36 within the housing 12. The remainder of the housing 1'2 disposed below the flanges 32 and 34 is designated as a lower chamber 38. A supply of dry cleaning solvent 40 is disposed within the lower chamber 38. The dry cleaning solvent 40 may be any one of a plurality of solvents such as perchorethylene. Preferably, the dry cleaning solvent 40 is Du Pont Companys Freon. Freon is the preferred solvent because it is substantially less toxic than other solvents such as perchlorethylene and may be utilized in the dry cleaning of synthetic fabrics which are damaged when perchlorethylene is utilized as the solvent. In addition, Freon reduces considerably the drying time so that the total cycle is /z the time cycle when using perchlorethylene.

The use of a Freon solvent facilitates the provision of structural elements within the housing 12.which may be immersed within the solvent without any adverse eifect thereon. Freon is an extremely volatile liquid and as will be made clear hereinafter, means are provided to minimize the loss of the volatile vapors to the atmosphere when the access door 24 is opened. The solvent 40 is supplied to the housing 12 and withdrawn therefrom by means of a supply and exhaust valve 42 connected to a short conduit depending from the bottom wall 18 of the housing 12.

A perforated cylindrical drum 44 having an access door 46 pivotably securedthereto is provided for retaining the fabrics to be dry cleaned in the machine 10 of the present invention. It will be noted that the access door 46 is of smaller configuration than the access door 24 and is pivotably secured to the drum 44 by means of a hinge 48, see

3 FIGURE 2. The relative disposition of the access doors 24 and 46 are as shown in FIGURE 2 at the beginning and end of any dry cleaning cycle.

A bladder 50 is disposed within the drum 44. The peripheral edges of the bladder 50 are fixedly secured to the inner periphery of the drum 44 at diametrically opposite points so that the bladder 50 overlies approximately one-half of the inner peripheral surface of the drum 44. The bladder 50 is preferably made from a flexible readily deformable material such as rubber, plastic, etc.

The drum 44 is provided with axles 52 and 54. The drum 44 is supported within the housing 12 by means of a pan 56. The drum 44 is spaced from the pan 56 to define a chamber 57. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 4, the pan 56 is semi-cylindrical in shape with aligned holes being provided in end walls 58 and 60 of the pan 56. Thus, the axle 52 extends through the hole in the end wall 58 with a seal being provided therebetween. The axle 54 extends through the hole in the end wall 60 with a seal being provided therebetween. The pan 56 is provided with an outwardly directed peripheral flange 62.

A readily deformable seal means is provided on the upper surface of the flange 62. Such seal means may, for example, be an O-ring seal 61. As shown more clearly by a comparison of FIGURES 2 and 3, the seal on the flange 62 cooperates with the flanges 32 and 34 and the top wall sections 20 and 21 to selectively isolate the upper chambers 36 from the lower chamber 38.

A mounting plate 64 is fixedly secured to the periphery of the pan 56 in any convenient manner such as by welding, bolts, etc. A motor 66 is fixedly secured on the mounting plate 64 offset from the longitudinal axis of the pan 56. The output shaft of the motor 66 is provided with. a pulley 68. A pulley 70 is fixedly secured to one end of the axle 54 on the drum 44. An endless belt 72 extends around the pulleys 68 and 70. Accordingly, the motor 66 is disposed in a manner so that it may selectively rotate the drum 44.

A short flow conduit 74 extends through the pan 56 at its lowermost point as shown more clearly in FIGURE 2. A valve 76 is disposed within the conduit 74. A solenoid is provided for selectively operating the valve 76, with electric wires 80 being provided to operate the solenoid 78.

A pair of lever arms 82 and 84 are pivotably secured to the end walls 58 and 60 of the pan 56. The ends of the lever arms 82 and 84 remote from the pan 56 are pivotably secured to a mounting bracket 86. The mounting bracket 86 is fixedly secured on the inner periphery of side wall 16 of the housing 12. A rotatably mounted cam follower 88 is secured to the lever arm 84. The cam follower 88 is in abutting contact with a cam 90 which in turn is fixedly secured to a rotatably mounted cam shaft 92. Cam shaft 92 is rotated by means of motor 93.

An inflatable seal 94 is fixedly secured within an annular groove on the inner periphery of the pan 56 adjacent the point where the bladder 50 is secured to the drum 44. The inflatable seal 94 is selectively supplied with pressurized air by means of conduit 96 having a solenoid operated valve 98 therein. The valve 98 is preferably of the supply and exhaust type whereby the supply of air to the inflatable seal 94 causes the same to expand into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 44. The purpose of the inflatable seal 94 will be made clear hereinafter.

Means are provided for withdrawing the solvent laden air within the chamber 36 so as to remove the solvent and thereafter return such air to said chamber 36, or to the lower chamber 38, or to atmosphere. Thus, a condenser 100 is provided as shown more clearly in FIGURES 1 and 3.

Thus, a conduit extends between the upper chamber 36 and the inlet side of condenser 100. The outlet side of the condenser 100 is connected to the inlet side of a pump or fan 102. The pump or fan 102 has a very low capacity such asfive cubic feet per minute in a small model of the present invention. The pump capacity will vary with the size of the machine. The outlet side of the pump or fan 102 is connected to a heater 104. Since the pump capacity is small, the power rating of heater 104 may be low. The outlet side of the heater 104 is provided with branch conduits 106, 108, and 110.

The branch conduits 106, 108 and 110 are provided with solenoid operated valves for controlling fiow therein. Conduit 106 communicates with. the atmosphere. Conduit 108 communicates with the lower chamber 38. Conduit 110 communicates with the upper chamber 36. A conduit 112 extends from the condenser to a point sli htly below liquid level in the lower chamber 38.

A control device 114 is provided. The control device 114 is connected to a source of current 116. The control device is a commercially available controller which selectively operates the various motors and solenoids so that the machine 10 of the present invention has a predetermined operating cycle.

The operation of the machine 10 of the present invention is as follows:

The respective elements of the machine 10' assume a disposition as shown in FIGURE 2. The access door 24 is manipulated to an open position and then the access door 46 is manipulated to an open position. Thereafter, the articles to be cleaned such as fabrics, clothing, etc. are disposed within the drum 44. Thereafter, the access doors 46 and 24 are closed. A button for initiating the operating cycle is thereafter manipulated. Then, the solenoid 26 locks the access door 24 in its closed disposition so that the machine 10 may not be opened until the cycle has been completed. This prevents the upper chamber 36 from being placed in communication with atmosphere so as to prevent a loss of vapors therefrom. Thus, the access door 24 is disposed so as to provide a vapor tight seal with respect to the housing extension 22.

The vacuum pump 102 will evacuate the upper chamber 36 so as to attain a pressure therein comparable with the pressure which existed at the time of completion of the previous batch, and before unloading the previous batch. The valves in conduits and 93 are actuated to a position wherein the pressure in inflatable seal 94 is exhausted into chamber 36, thereby equalizing the pressure on both sides of the bladder 50 at atmospheric pressure.

Thereafter, control device 114 operates the motor 93 so that the cam 90 is disposed in a position to cause the drum 44 to descend and at the same time opens valve 76 to equalize the pressures in the upper and lower chambers 36 and 38 respectively. The drum 44 is lowered to a position wherein a portion of the drum 44 is disposed below the level of solvent 40. Simultaneously, the motor 66 causes the drum 44 to rotate slowly. At all times, the drum 44 is disposed within the pan 56 with the solvent entering the pan 56 through the valve 76.

The drum 44 continues to rotate within the solvent for a predetermined period of time controlled by the control device 114. Upon completion of the immersion stage, and while still revolving, the drum 44 is raised to an intermediate position whereby the flange 62 is spaced slightly from the plane of the flanges '32 and 34. In this intermediate position, the solvent within chamber 57 drains out through the valve 76 which is above liquid level. In addition, the drum 44 is rotated rapidly in this position so as to permit centrifugal extraction of solvent from the articles of fabric and clothing disposed therein.

Thereafter, the rate at which the drum revolves is de creased and the cam 90 causes the lever arms 82 and 84 to raise the pan 56 and the drum 44 until the flange 62 is sealed with respect to the top wall section 20 and 21 and the flanges 32 and 34. In this position, the drum continues to revolve slowly, thereby tumbling the clothing and fabrics disposed therein. At the same time, valve 76 is closed and the pump 102 begins to recirculate the air of the upper chamber 36. The solvent laden air disposed Within chamber 57 and the upper chamber 36 passes through the condenser 100 which separates the same into cool air and liquid solvent. The liquid solvent is returned to the lower chamber 38 by way of conduit 112. The cool air passes through the pump 102 and is heated by the heater 104.

The heated air is returned from the heater 104 to the upper chamber 36 by way of conduit 110. This process continues for a predetermined period of time so as to accentuate the drying of the clothes and at the same time remove as much solvent vapor from the upper chamber 36 as possible.

Following the drying cycle, the rotation of the drum 44 is halted and the drum 44 is indexed to a preset unloading position as illustrated in FIGURE 2 wherein the access doors 24 and 46 are in alignment with one another. Thereafter, the inflatable seal 94 is inflated by pump 102 through conduit 96 so as to hermetically isolate the upper chamber 36 from the interior of the pan 56. The inflatable seal 94 expands until it is in contact with the periphery of the drum 44. Then the valve in conduit 96 is closed, locking air in seal 94 which remains in its expanded condition.

Thereafter, the control device 114 closes the valve in conduit 110 and opens the valve in conduit 108. In this position of the elements of the machine and during this portion of the cycle, the air is being directed into the pan 56. The air in pan 56 expands the bladder 50 to the phantom position illustrated in FIGURE 2. While the vacuum created in the upper chamber 36 is too slight so as to cause the bladder 50 to raise to the phantom position shown in FIGURE 2, such vacuum does cooperate with the pressurized air being directed in chamber 57 to accomplish this result.

The bladder 50 is pressurized to the phantom position shown in FIGURE 2 so as to substantially reduce the volume of the upper chamber 36. While the bladder 50 is being pressurized, the heater 104 may be turned off.

Thus, a combination of pressure and vacuum causes the bladder 50 to assume the phantom position shown in FIGURE '2 thereby reducing the volume of the upper chamber 36 and at the same time placing the dried articles adjacent the access door 46. When the access doors 24 and 46 are opened, it will be seen that a very small portion of the volume of chamber 36- will be exposed to the atmosphere. Accordingly, only the solvent vapors remaining in this volume of the chamber 36 will be lost to the atmosphere. In this manner, I am able to reduce the loss of solvent to the atmosphere by more than fifty percent as compared with machines proposed heretofore. Thus, the machine 10 of the present invention loses less solvent per batch of clothes than those proposed heretofore while at the same time is designed to utilize Freon as a solvent which is less toxic and faster drying than machines utilizing perchlorethylene.

At the end of the drying cycle, the control device 114 deactivates the solenoid lock 26, stops the pump 102, closes the valve in conduit 108, and opens the valve in conduit 106.

When a new batch of clothes are disposed within the drum, the control device will close the valve in conduit 106. Thereafter, the cycle will be repeated in the manner set forth above.

While the drum 44 has been illustrated with an actuating mechanism comprising lever arms, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide an equivalent device which reciprocates the drum vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flange 32 and 34.

It will be appreciated that the normal accessories such as filters, solvent recovery still, etc. are not illustrated since they form no part of the present invention.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to 6 the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A dry cleaning machine comprising a housing, said housing having an upper chamber, said housing having a lower chamber adapted to have a cleaning solvent disposed therein, a perforated drum mounted for movement from a first position wherein said drum is disposed in said lower chamber to a second position wherein said drum is at least partially disposed within said upper chamber, means selectively isolating said drum and upper chamber from communication with said lower chamber in said second position of said drum, means for selectively causing said movement of said drum and for selectively rotating said drum, means for selectively removing volatile vapors from said upper chamber, and selectively operable means for reducing the volume of said drum exposed to said upper chamber.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said selectively operable means for reducing the volume of said drum includes an inflatable flexible bladder disposed within said drum and secured to the inner periphery of said drum.

3. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means selectively isolating said drum and said upper chamber from communication with said lower chamber includes a semi-cylindrical pan disposed beneath said drum and mounted for movement therewith, said pan having a peripheral flange adapted to sealingly contact a portion of said housing which partially defines said upper chamber.

4. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for selectively removing volatile vapors from the upper chamber includes a condenser in communication with said upper chamber, a pump in communication with the outlet side of said condenser, a heater in communication with the outlet side of said pump, a conduit from the outlet side of said heater being in communication with said upper chamber, and a drain conduit extending from said condenser to said lower chamber, whereby a mixture of volatile vapors and air are withdrawn from such upper chamber into said condenser and separated into liquid condensate and air, with such air being returned to said upper chamber by said conduit connected to the outlet side of said heater.

5. In a dry cleaning machine comprising a housing adapted to have a supply of dry cleaning solvent therein,

means rotatably mounting a perforated drum in said housing, an access door on said drum in alignment with an access door on said housing in one rotativeposition of said drum, a flexible bladder disposed within said drum, means sealing the periphery of said bladder to the inner periphery of said drum at a line separating top and bottom portions of said drum, selectively operable means for inflating said bladder, and a selectively operable vacuum means coupled to said housing for sealing said housing and the bottom portion of said drum from the top portion of said drum and withdrawing a mixture of air and vaporized solvent from within the bottom portion of said drum and said housing, whereby the volume of air within said drum which is exposed to atmosphere when said doors are open and the amount of vaporized solvent in the air in said drum may be substantially reduced.

6. In a cleaning machine comprising a housing, means rotatably mounting a perforated drum within said housing, means mounting said drum for movement from a first drying position to a second immersion position, a pan disposed Within said housing and mounted for movement with said drum as said drum moves from said first position to said second position, a selectively operable valve controlling a flow port through said pan, and means on said pan for cooperation with a portion of said housing to divide said housing into an upper and lower chamber when said drum is in said first drying position, whereby said drum and upper chamber are isolated from communication with said lower chamber.

7. A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said drum is rotatably supported by said pan, and means for reducing the volume of said drum exposed to said upper chamber in said first position of said drum.

8. In a dry cleaning machine comprising a housing, a semi-cylindrical pan, means mounting said pan for substantially vertical movement within said housing, a cylindrical drum disposed within said pan and rotatably supported by said pan, a motor means operatively disposed with respect to said drum for rotating the same, said drum having a plurality of perforations therethrough and an access door for providing access to the interior of said drum, selectively operable means controlling flow through said pan, and said housing being adapted to contain a supply of dry cleaning fluid so that said pan and said drum may be at least partially disposed within the dry cleaning fluid during a portion of the substantially reciprocatory motion of said pan.

9. A dry cleaning machine comprising a housing, said housing having an upper chamber, said housing having a lower chamber adapted to have a dry cleaning solvent therein, a perforated drum disposed within said housing, said drum being rotatably supported by a semi-cylindrical pan, means mounting said pan and drum for movement from a first position wherein said drum and pan are disposed within said lower chamber to a second position wherein said drum is at least partially disposed within said upper chamber, wall means selectively cooperating with said pan in said second position of said drum to isolate said drum and said upper chamber from communication with said lower chamber, means for selectively rotating said drum, means in communication with said upper chamber for selectively removing a mixture of air and volatile vapors from said upper chamber and returning thereto only air removed from said upper chamber.

10. A machine in accordance with claim 9 including selectively operable means for reducing the volume of said drum exposed to said upper chamber, inflatable means selectively operable for expansion into contact with the periphery of said drum when said drum is in said second position.

11. A machine in accordance with claim 10 wherein said means for selectively reducing the volume of said drum includes a flexible bladder, the peripheral edges of said bladder being fixedly secured to the inner periphery of said drum, with said bladder overlying a portion of the inner periphery of said drum.

12. In a dry cleaning machine comprising a housing, said housing having an access door providing access to the interior thereof, means mounting a perforated drum for rotation about its longitudinal axis within said housing, means mounting said drum for movement into and out of an area of said housing adapted to contain a dry cleaning solvent, and imperforate means for reducing the volume of said drum exposed to the atmosphere when said access door is opened.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,549,027 Perry Aug. 11, 1925 1,917,096 Chamberlin July 4, 1933 2,187,770 Chamberlin Jan. 23, 1940 2,611,257 Kahn Sept. 23, 1952 2,645,916 Green July 21. 1953 

12. IN A DRY CLEANING MACHINE COMPRISING A HOUSING, SAID HOUSING HAVING AN ACCESS DOOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR THEREOF, MEANS MOUNTING A PERFORATED DRUM FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS WITHIN SAID HOUSING, MEANS MOUNTING SAID DRUM FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF AN AREA OF SAID HOUSING ADAPTED TO CONTAIN A DRY CLEANING SOLVENT, AND IMPERFORATE MEANS FOR REDUCING THE 